Baling-press.



No. 802,475. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905. W. M. RHEEM.

BALING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET1.

Aunnsw. u r-lmuu co. PMYO-UYMOGIAPNEIli wumuamn u, c.

N0. 802,475. PATENTED OCT. 24-, 1905. W. M. RHEEM,

BALING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.21, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

It. I. M (37.. nummuunmn. rum-lama. a G.

No. 802,475. PATENTBD OCT. 24, 1905.

W. M. RHEBM.

BALING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.21, 1903.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3 PATENTED 0013.24, 1905.

w. M. RHEEM; BALING PRESS APPLIQAIION FILED SEPT. 21, 19 03.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W Rye/ 222 7" \VTLLIAM M. RHEEM, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BALING PRlESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24;, 1905.

Application filed September 21, 1903. Serial No. 173,978.

To ztZl whom, it many cancer/t:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. RHEEM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented a new and useful Bailing-Press, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to baling-presses.

The object of the invention is to provide a baling-press which is simplein construction and economical and efficient in operation forcondensing, compressing, or baling fibrous material, such as cotton,hay, sisal, hemp, and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a baling-prcss forcondensing or compacting fibrous material into bales or packages havinga more or less rectangular shape.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the size,weight, or density of the bales or packages may be readily varied at theoption of the operator.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a simple construction andarrangement for applying the bale bands or ties to the bale or package.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction ofbaling-press which is simple and eflicient and wherein the bale bands orties may be a plied to the bales or packages produced or to thecondensed or compacted material without interrupting the continuousoperation of the machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination,arrangement, and relative location of parts, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, andfinally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views andreference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a view in plan of abaling-press embodying the principles of my invention, parts beingbroken away and parts shown in section. Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal section on the line 52 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the directionof the arrows. Fig. 3 is a detached detail view in perspective of one ofthe traveling abutments employed in connection with and embodying in theconstruction thereof the principles of my invention. Figs. 4: and 5 arediagrammatical views illustrating the manner of applying bale bands orties automatically to the condensed or compacted material. Fig. 6 is abroken detail view showing part of the main frame and the manner inwhich the adjustable or movable side friction-plate is pivoted or hingedthereto. Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of a bale or package producedin a machine embodying the principles of my invention.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

In carrying out the principles of my invention I propose to employaretaining device to receive the condensed and compacted material in theform of a chute having frictional side plates, and I propose to applythe material to be condensed or compacted by means of travelingabutme'nts arranged to move transversely across said chute or guidewayand to deliver the material to the mass contained in said chute orguideway in comparatively small portions and also to apply the balebands or ties to the material during the compacting and condensingoperation and without interfering with the continuous operation of theapparatus. Various constructions of receiving and retaining chute orguideway may be devised, and various forms of means for delivering thematerial thereto may be proposed and still fall within the spirit andscope of my invention. 1 do not desire, therefore, to be limited orrestricted to the exact details of construction shown and now to bedescribed.

In the particular form shown I employ a base 8 and side plates or frames9 and 10, in or upon which are supported the various operating parts ofthe apparatus. The side frames 9 and 10 may be suitably tied or boltedtogether, but a sufficient distance apart to accommodate the chute orguideway to receive the condensed and compacted material, as will behereinafter more fully explained. I have shown these side frames asbeing bolted or secured together by tie-rods 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,and 33. On the inside of each of the frames 9 10 I arrange side plates34c 37. The side plate 34 is held in any suitable manner in fixedrelation with respect to the frame 10* as, for instance, by means of theengaging bosses 35 36while the side plate 37is mounted or supported uponside frames 9 for movement toward and from side plate 34:. A convenientarrangement is shown wherein said side plate 37 is received or restsupon an extension or supporting-shoe (see Fig. 1) of side frame 9, and aconvenient hinge connec- IIO tion between the front end of side plate3'? and frame 9 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and more clearly inFig. 6, wherein side frame 9 is provided'with a lug or boss 38, having asemicircular seat formed in the inner face thereof to receive a roundedboss 39, formed on or carried by the forward end of side plate 3?. Thespace between side plates 3% 37 constitutes the receiving-chute orretaining device for the compressed, condensed, or compacted material.In orderto facilitate the entrance of the material into this retainingchute or way, said side plates may be beveled at their front edges, asindicated in dotted lines at &6 -17, Fig. 1. If desired and in order toafford a suitable guide or support for the condensed or compacted massof material received in this retaining-chute, the side plates 3A 37 maybe provided with inwardlyeXtending flanges ea A6, as clearly shown inthe drawings, thereby aflording guidingledges for the mass of condensedor compacted material while being advanced along the chute orretaining-way, and in order to facilitate the entrance of the condensedor compacted material the forward end of the supporting ledges 4A A6 maybe chamferedor beveled, as indicated at 45, Fig. 9. Except for the sideplates 34: 37 and the inwardly extending or projecting supporting-ledgesM as the retainer-chute for the condensed or compacted material may beentirely open.

Any desired means may be provided for effecting an adjustment ormovement of one or both of the side plates 37 3a toward the other inorder to impart a desired degree of resistance to the progression of thematerial. In the form shown as illustrative of an operative means foraccomplishing this result I have shown a hydraulic cylinder A0 mountedupon the side frame 9, in which is arranged to operate a plunger etl,said plunger bearing against the outer face of side plate 3'7 adjacenttoits rear end. A pressure medium may be supplied to the cylinder 2L0from any suitable or convenient source as, for instance, throughsupply-pipe stQlwhile an exhaustpipe as may be provided and arranged todeliverinto asuitable spill-tank. Any suitablyarranged valve inexhaust-pipe 43 may serve to regulate and control the degree of pressureapplied by the pressure medium to the plunger 41, and hence to thecompression-plate 37 and the condensed or compacted material heldbetween said plate and plate It is obvious that other means may beemployed for effecting this adjustment of the adjustable side plate 37.

In conjunction with the retainer-chute above described I employabutments arranged to travel continuously and in a direction past ortransversely across the end of the retainerchute and serving not only todeliver the material to such retainer or chuteway, but to also condensesuch material so supplied therein. This delivery and condensingoperation may be effected in many different ways. I have shown one formof construction which answers the purpose, but to which my invention isnot to be limited or restricted, wherein I employ a series of abutments25, arranged to travel in a continuous direction transversely across thereceiving end of the retainer-chute. Various means may be devised forimparting the travel to these abutments and for suitably supporting andguiding the same during their travel and for delivering thereto thematerial to be supplied to the retainer-chute, and the travelingabutments may be variously constructed and arranged to accomplish thedesired objects. Therefore I have shown and will now describe one formof construction and arrangement for accomplishing the desired objects;but I do not desire to be limited or restricted thereto. In the formshown each abutment 25 is provided with a flange plate or chute 48,which may be of a construction depending upon the character of thematerial handled. Near the end of each abutment is provided rack-teeth49 of such space apart that when a number of the abutments are placedclosely together the rack-teeth 49 on succeeding abutments form, ineffect, a continuous rack. The central part of each abutment is suitablycut away on the under side thereof, as indicated at 50, in order toprovide proper space for the passage of the material carried by orsupplied from the next lowermost abutment or its supporting part 48 topass therebetween. The lower edge of the abutment is slightly curved, asat 51, to form a lip under which the material passes from thesupporting-abutment lying next below or underneath the same as suchmaterial is supplied to the retainer-chute. The part of the abutmentjust inside of the rack-teeth is slightly less in width than the widthof the part upon which the rack-teeth are formed, so that thereby aslight space or slot 52 is formed between adjacentabutments when saidabutments are brought together, as indicated in Fig. 2. On. the outersurface of each end portion of the abutments I form notches or shoulders(indicated at 53) for a purpose presently to be more fully described.Adjacent to these ledges or flanges, but suitably separated therefrom, Iarrange standards 13 1a. These standards may be secured in anyconvenient manner as, for instance, to flanges respectively formed onthe front ends of the side frames 9 and 10, to which said standards maybe bolted or otherwise secured.

The traveling abutments 25 are arranged to be received at the endsthereof in the space between the ledges or flanges 2-3 24 and thestandards 13 14:, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this mannersaid abutments are efficiently held and guided on both sides of each endthereof, the flanges or ledges 23 2A and the uprights or standards 13 1%forming a guideway or track through which said l a cooperating orcounter shaft 72, also suitabutments travel and by which said abut-vments are suitably braced and supported. in order to reduce friction andto facilitate the travel of the abutmcnts through these tracks orguidcways and transversely across the open mouth of the retainingdevice, antifriction rollers or devices may be applied to the standardsor uprights 13 14c in any convenient man ner.

antifriction-rollers 17 18, said rollers being arranged in a track orraceway around the upright standards 13 let in any convenient manner, asby means of guards 19, 20, 21, and 22, respectively secured to the outerand inner faces or sides of each of the standards 13 14, as clearlyshown. In bearings formed in brackets 54: 55, carried by or suitablysecured to the side plates 9 10 of the framework, is journaled a shaft56, upon which, at opposite ends thereof, are keyed sprocket wheels 5758. Over these sprocket-wheels operate sprocket-chains 66, said chainsalso operating over corresponding idler-sprockets suitably journaled onstuds mounted in the lower part of the framework, one of which, 6st, isshown. (See Fig. 2.) The forward leg of each sprocket-chain extendsdirectly from sprocket-wheels 57 58 to its corresponding idler-sprocket64; but the rear leg of each chain after passing around sprocket-wheels57 58 rearwardly thereof is deflected forwardly over idlers (indicatedat 60 62, Fig. 2) and thence again rearwardly and around the icller-stnocket 64. The sprocket-chains 66 are provided with cooperating studs68, extending laterally from each chain, the studs 68 on one chainextending inwardly toward their cooperating studs on the other chain.These studs should be arranged equally distant apart throughout thelength of the chains. As illustrated, a lug is provided at every tenthlink. These lugs are arranged and designed to be received in the seatsor notches 53,for1ned in the end surface of the abutments, therebysupporting said abutments and by which said abutments are carried orrestored after having passed transversely across the receiving end ofthe retainer-chute into position to be caused to again traverse or movetransversely across the receiving end of said retainerchute. The travelof the abutments trans versely across the mouth of the receiving end ofthe retainer-chute may be imparted from any suitable source or in anyconvenient manner. l have shown a simple arrangement, to which, however,l do not desire to be limited, and wherein I. employ a main drive-shaft69, suitably journaled in the framework, and upon which is mounted adrive-pulley 70, adapted to receive rotations from any suitable orconvenient source. Upon this drive-shaft is mounted a pinion 71,arranged to intermesh with and to drive a pinion 78, mounted upon 1 haveshown a simple arrangement wherein is employed a continuous train ofably journaled in the side frames of the machine. Upon shaft 72 aremounted pinions 74: 75, arranged to intermesh with and to drivegear-wheels 76 77, the latter suitably journaled in the framework as,for instance, upon the ties-0d The gears 76 77 are so relativelyarranged with respect to the path traversed by the ends of the travelingabutments as to intermesh with the rack-teeth 4.9, formed thereon, asclearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby positively driving saidabutments successively and transversely across the receiving end of theretainer-cluite. Rotation may be imparted to the sprocket-gears 57 58 inany suitable or convenient manneras, for instance, by means of asproclwt-chain 93, operating over sprocket-gears 91 92, respectivelymounted upon shafts 56 and 7 2.

In the operation of a baling-press embodying the principles ofconstruction above set forth a dummy package or bale of suitablematerial such as cotton, hemp, hay, or the like and corresponding inwidth and height to the transverse area of the retaining-'clmte, or apackage, bale, mass, or the like of suitable materialthat is to say,with some soft fibrous yielding material, such as cottonbaggingor thehke-1s placed in position between the side plates 34: and 37 and ispushed up' tightly in bearing relation against the rear faces of thetraveling abntmen ts 25, said false bale, package, or mass resting uponthe ledges 4 k 46. Pressure is then applied to the mov able side plate37 through the plunger 41. or otherwise, as above explained, therebytightly gripping the false package or mass between the side plates 34:and 37 and holding the same tightly against the traveling abutments 25.The material to be baled is then supplied to the receptacles 48 in anysuitable or conveir ient manner, an equal quantity as nearly as possiblebeing supplied to each receptacle and such material being placed uponthe receptacles as with more or less evenness of distribution over thesurface of such receptacle. For instance, if cotton is the material tobe baled it may be placed upon the receptacles -L8 in a sheet or bat orotherwise, as may be found desirable, and in a manner dcpemling upon thecharacter of the material to be supplied, care being taken to permit aportion of such material to slightly project or extend over the innerupper edge of the abutment. Motion is then imparted to gears 7 (5 77,the teeth of which mesh with the rack-teeth on the ends of the travelingabutments, and also to the sprocket-shaft 56. It will be observed thatthe construction is such that a greater speed of travel is imparted tothe sprocket-gears 57 58 than to the drivinggears 76 77. (lensequentlythe sprocket-chain 66 will travel faster than the travel imparted to theabutments by the gears 76 77, with the result that the travelingabut-ments are delivered into the tracln *ay formed by the u prights orstand ards 13 14 and the ledges 23 24 from the sprocket-chain 66 morerapidly than said abutments are progressed through the driving-sprockets7 6 7T transversely across the receiving end of the retainer-chute.Consequently the traveling abutments become stacked or piled up in thetrackway, in which they are retained until fed or progressedtherethrough through the engagement of the driving-gears T6 T7 with therack-teeth 49. The traveling abutments are thus piled up upon each otherin the trackway by reason of the peculiar arrangement of thesprocketchains 66, said sprocket-chains carrying the abutments whenpassing around the sprocketgears 57 58, but automatically becomingdetached from said abutments and deliveringthe latter into position intheir trackway by reason of the forward deflection imparted to one ofthe legs of said sprocket-chains by reason of passing around the idlerguide-rolls 6O 62, th is operation being clearly shown in Fig. 2. Afterthe abutments have been progressed successively transversely across theopen receiving-mouth of the retainer-chute, each abutment being pushedor crowded down through the trackway by the abutments lying thereoveruntil the lower end of the retaining-track way standards 13 14: arepassed, when said abutment being no longer confined or supported byfrictional contact in said trackway falls by gravity in the particularform shown; but by this time a cooperating pair of the studs 67 68 onthe sprocket-chains 66' are brought into position to be received in theend notches or seats 53 in the abutments, said cooperating studs therebyforming or being brought into position to form retainers to catch andsupport the abutments. During the operation above described theabutments are held in place in the trackway formed by the guides 23 2%and the uprights 13 and 14. the latter serving to resist the outward orforward pressure of the mass of compressed material delivered into theretainer-chute and the antifriction-rolls 17 18 serving to relieve thefriction against the movements of the traveling abutments due to thepressure of the material which has been already delivered into theretainer. As the traveling abutments pass transversely across the mouthof the retainer-chute and over the surface of the material previouslydelivered or placed therein under compression the material whichprotrudes slightly beyond the traveling abutments and through the slotformed between adjacent abutments, as above explained, becomes entangledwith the material already contained in the retainerchute and heldtherein under compression and is drawn into such retainer through theslot or opening between adjacent abutments and laid across the surfaceof thematerial previously delivered to the retainer and held therein,the forward surface of the next succeeding abutment ironing down thematerial thus delivered from the preceding abutment compactly and incondensed condition against the surface of the material retained in theretainer-chute. By the time the abutments successively pass transverselyacross the receiving end of the retainer-chute and drop down intoposition to be caught and retained by the studs 67 68, as aboveexplained, each abutment and its associated receptacle t8 has becomeexhausted of its supply of material, such material having been drawninto the retainer-chute and to the extent thereof advancing the mass ofmaterial held in the retainer-chute under compression lengthwise throughsuch chute. Thereafter the abutments are successively returned by thesprocketchains 66 to the top of the heap or pile contained in thetrackway, a fresh supply of material being suitably placed or deliveredupon the receptacle 48 during such return, thereby making the apparatuscontinuous in operation. It is obvious, however, that the fresh materialmay be supplied to the receptacles LS after being delivered into thetrackway to be again progressed transversely across the mouth of theretaining-chute The continuous operation of the apparatus, as abovedescribed, results in the production of a compressed and condensedcolumn of material of substantially rectangular shape,

which is gradually built up and advanced through the retainer-clmte. Inpractice, however, it is desirable to apply the bale bands or ties todefinite portions of the compressed material in order to form the sameinto bales of commercial size for shipment or handling, and it isexceedingly desirable in apparatus of this class to provide meanswhereby the bale bands or ties may be applied to the com pressedmaterial without interfering with the continuous operation of themachine and while the material is still held under compression, so as toprevent undue expansion thereof when the finished bale as a commercialprod net is finally delivered from the machine. My invention includesmeans for accomplishing these results, and while I have shown and willnow describe a construction and arrangement by which such results areaccomplished I desire it to be understood that many variations therefromand in the details of construction and arrangement thereof would readilyoccur to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit andscope of my invention. In the form shown the strips of material formingthe bale straps or bands are clamped or gripped at one end thereofbetween the tierod 27 and gripping fingers orjaws 89, carried upon ashaft or red 88. The strips or bands are then passed toward the front orfeeding-in end of the machine underneath the tie-rod 26 and the free endthereof bent up into the shape and position indicated in Fig. 2. Thisbent end is then placed across the ICC upper traveling abutment, so asto be clamped between said abutment and the next abutment delivered intothe trackway. This operation should take place before the initial feedof the material is started and while the false bale or compressed massis contained in the retaining-chute. The apparatus is then put intooperation, and consequently the free end of the bale band or tie iscarried transversely across the feed-in end of the retainerchute andover the initial mass of compressed material or false bale containedtherein, as indicated in Fig. t. The material is then supplied and theoperation of the apparatus continues. After suflicient material has beendelivered to the retainer-chute and condensed therein to form a bale ofthe desired length the band will occupy a position such as shown at A,Fig. 5. Before a full length of bale has been formed, however, the endof the bale band or strap, which up to this time has been held clampedby the dog or pawl 89, is released. This released end is then passedforwardly under the tie-rod 26, while at the same time a fresh bale bandor strap is secured at one end by the dog 89, as above described, andthe other end passed forward under the tie-rod 26, and the two tie-bandends thus passed forward and under the tie-rod 26 are suitably bent up,as indicated in Fig. 2, and held or maintained in such position untilrequired for use to be applied. These ends may be retained in theirelevated or raised position, as shown in Fig. 2, in any simple,suitable, or convenient manner. I have shown a simple arrangementwherein said bands are engaged by catches or fingers 86, formed on orcarried by a bar 85, which is connected to a handle 87, by which saidbar may be shifted or moved to disengage said lingers or catches fromthe bale bands or ties. The bar 85 is slidably connected to or supportedby a crossbar 82, suitably supported by arms 81, car'- ried by ormounted upon standards 78 79, provided at the top and forward ends ofthe side frames 9 and 10. Also suitably supported upon the cross-bar 82is a curved plate 88, said plate being provided with slots or openings84 to receive the ends of the bale bands or ties or to permit the sameto project there through, thereby forming a guide therefor.

Of course it is to be understood that any desired number of bale bandsor ties may be applied to each bale or compressed mass. In the formshown, to which, however, my invention is not to be limited orrestricted, three bale bands or ties are to be applied to the bale, andhence the curved plate 83 is provided with three slots therethrough andthe bar 85 is provided with three catches or retaining-hooks 86. After asuflicient length of compressed mass is formed in the retainerchute toproduce a bale of proper length for a commercial article the cross-bar85 is shifted to release the bale bands or ties retained by the catchesor lingers 86, thereby permitting said bands or ties to fall down uponthe uppermost of the abutments and to be caught and retained betweensaid abutment and the next abutment supplied to the stack or pile in thetrackway, the continued operation of the machine carrying said bands orties transversely across the receiving end of the retaining-chute andbeing ironed down across the face of the material compressed orcondensed therein, the bands then assuming the position indicateddiagrammatically in Fig. 5, thereby completing the application of a baleband or.

tie around three sides of a portion of the compressed material to form abale and engaging one end of a band or tie or set of bands or ties inposition to be applied to three sides of the next bale to be produced orformed. In this way and as above described the machine is continuous inits action, the bands or ties being applied to the masses of compressedmaterial to form the bales without arresting the continuous action ofthe machine, the baling operation being completed by the operator at hisleisure and before the mass around three sides of which the bands orties have been applied has sufficiently progressed to be expelled fromthe machine by securing together the ends of the bands or ties on thefourth side of the bale or package. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, theretainer-chute accommodates enough compressed material to form at leasttwo bales and a half. This is not necessary, but is desirable, and itwill be noted that the bales may be made of any desired length, theapplication of the bale bands or ties, as above described, determiningthe length of the completed bale. It is also evident that only a singlebale may be formed and tied and removed from the machine.

The plate 83 in addition to forming a guide for the bale bands or ties,as above explained, also serves to regulate the distance that thematerial may project or protrude through or beyond the slots formedbetween adjacent abutments, thereby insuring that. the loose materialwill catch onto the corner of the compressed material at the propertime, and hence enabling me to form a straight top surface of thecompressed material in the retainingchute, and to apply the freshmaterial supplied from each of the abutments uniformly to the surface ofthe compressed mass in the retainer-chute without depending upon thebulging or expansion of the compressed material into the space betweenadjacent abutments the fresh material being not only applied to thecompressed mass in the retainingchute, but smoothly ironed down againstthe end surface thereof.

A baling-press constructed according to the principles above set forthis not only simple in construction and eiiicient in operation, but isalso economical in original construction and in maintenance, requiringthe services of but a single attendant to care for it while inoperation. I

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and aconstruction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new anduseful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. In a baling-press, the combination with a retainer to receive thematerial to be compressed, and abutments arranged in parallel relationwith respect to each other and means for moving said abutments in acontinuous direction transversely across the receiving end of saidretainer, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a baling-press, a retainer to receive the material to becompressed, and means for delivering the material thereto, comprisingtraveling abutments arranged in parallel relation and operating to movein one direction in a path transversely to the receiy ing end of saidretainer, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a baling-press, a retainer, in combination with a series ofindependent abutmcnts arranged in parallel relation with respect to eachother, and means for successively feeding said abutments transverselyacross the receiving end of the retainer, as and for the purpose setforth.

4. In a balingpress, a retainer to receive the material to becompressed, a traclrway arranged transversely across the receiving endof the retainer and a series of abutments carrying the material to bedelivered to the retainer, and means for feeding said abutmen ts throughsaid trackway, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a baling-pre ss, a retainer, a trackway arranged transversely withrespect to the receiving end of said retainer, abutments arranged to bereceived in said trackway, and power-actuated mechanism for progressingsaid abutments through said trackway.

6. In a baling-press, a retainer, in combination with a traclnvayextending transversely across the receiving end of said retainer,abutments arranged to be received in said trackway, means for deliveringsaid ahutments independently to said traclzway, and means for feedingsaid ab utments through said trackway, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a baling-press, a retainer, guides arranged at the receiving endof said retainer and forming traclzway, and movable abutments arrangedto be received in said guides, and means for continuously moving saidabutments in one direction in the guideway formed by said guides, as andfor the purpose set forth.

8. In a baling-press, a retainer, in combination with a guidewayarranged transversely the receiving end of said retainer, of abutmen tsarranged to operate through said guideway, and receptacles carried bysaid abut- 9. In a baling-press, a retainer, in combination withabutments arranged to travel transversely across the receiving end ofsaid retainer, said abutments having rack-teeth and gearing engagingsaid rack-teeth for positively progressing said abutments past saidretainer, as and forthe purpose set forth.

10. In a baling-press, a retainer, a track or guide way arrangedadjacent to the receiving end of said retainer, in combination with aseries of independent abutments arranged to be received in said track orguide way, each of said abutments being cut away to afford a passagebetween adjacent abutments, and means for progressing said abutmentsthrough said guide or track way, as and for the purpose set forth.

11.. In a baling-press, a retainer, a guide or track way arrangedadjacent to the receiving end of said retainer, in combination with aseries of abutments arranged to be received in said guide or track way,a receptacle carried by each of said abutments, and means forprogressing said abutments through said track or guide way, as and forthe purpose set forth.

12. In a baling-press, a retainer, a guide or track way arrangedadjacent to the receiving end of said retainer and extendingtransversely across the same, in combination with a series of abutments,each abutment carrying a receptacle and cut away upon the under sidethereof to afford a passage between. adjacent abutments, and means forprogressing said abutments through. said guide or track way, as and forthe purpose set forth.

13. In a baling-press, a retainer, a trackway arranged to extendtransversely across the receiving end of said retainer, a series ofabutments each arranged to carry a quantity of material to be deliveredinto said retainer, means for depositing said abutments into said trackor guide way, and power-actuated mechanism for progressing saidabutments through said track or guide way, as and for the purpose setforth.

14. In a baling-press, a framework comprising side frames, side platesmounted in said framework, one or both of said side plates being movabletoward and from the other, said side plates forming a retainer toreceive the material to be compressed, in combination with meanscarrying the material and moving transversely across the receiving endof the retainer for continuously delivering the material in successiveincrements to said retainer and condensing the same therein, as and forthe purpose set forth.

15. In a balingpress, a retainer for the material to be condensed orcompressed, comprising side plates arranged in parallel relation withrespect to each other, one or ments to receive the material to bedelivered l both of said side plates being movable toward and from theother,1n combination with abutnlents carrying the material to be comintosaid retainer, as and for the purpose set forth.

pressed, and means for moving said abut- .ments transversely across thereceiving end of said retainer, as and for the purpose set forth. r

1.6. In a haling-press, side plates arranged in. parallel relation withrespect to each other to form a retainer, one or both of said sideplates being pivotally mounted at one end, means for moving the otherend of said plate or plates to vary the space between. said plates, incombination with means continuously operating transversely across thereceiving end of said retainer for delivering the material to becompressed thereto, as and for the purpose set forth.

1.7 In a baling-press, a retainer comprising side plates horizontallyarranged in parallel relation with respect to each other, said sideplates having supporting ledges or flanges at the lower edges thereofand forming a supporting-chute for the compressed material, incombination with means carry ing the material and operating transverselyacross the receiving end of said retainer for continuously condensingand compressing the material in successive increments into saidretainer-chute, as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a baling-press, aretainer comprising side plates arranged inparallel relation with respect to each other, said plates having guidingledges or flanges at the lower edges thereof, means for n'ioving one ofsaid plates toward. and from the other to vary the space therebetween,in combination with abutments carrying the material to be delivered tosaid retainer, and means for progressing said abutments transverselyacross the receiving end of said. retainers, as and for the purpose setforth.

19. In a baling-press, a retainer comprising side plates arranged inparallel relation with respect to each. other, one or both of saidplates being movable toward and from the other, said plates havingbeveled or chamfered front ends or edges, in combination with meanscarrying the material and traveling continuously and transversely acrossthe space between the chamfered or beveled ends of said plates forcompressing the material to be condensed or compressed into the spacebetween said plates, as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In a baling-press, a retainer comprising parallel side plates, saidplates having chamifered or beveled supporting-ledges upon the loweredges thereof, in combination with means operating transversely acrossthe space between said plates for compressing the material to becompressed into such space and into position to be supported upon saidledges, as and for the purpose set forth.

2] In a baling-press, a retainer comprising parallel side plates, one ofsaid plates being hinged or pivoted at the front end there parallel sideplates, guiding-[hinges arranged adjacent to the front ends ofsaidplates, cooperating supportirig-standards forming a guide I or trackwaywith said guiding-flanges, and abutments arranged to be received in saidguide ortrackway, and means for progressing said abutments through saidguide or tracl way, as and for the purpose set forth.

23. In a balingqpress, a framework having parallel guiding ledges orflanges and side plates forming a retainer, guide standards or uprightscooperatii'ig with said llanges to form a track or guide waytransversely across the space between said side plates and abutmentsadapted to carry the material to be compressed, said abutments arrangedto operate in said guide or track way to deliver such. material into thespace between said. side plates, as and for the purpose set forth.

24. In a billing-press, a framework, a re tainer for the connn'essedmaterial, a guide or trackway arranged transve sely across thereceivingend of said retainer, abutments arranged. to be received in said guideor trackway, means for progressing said abutments through said guide ortrack way, and means for reducing the friction. of said abutments duringsuch progression, as and for the purpose set forth.

25. In a l:)aling-press, a retainer, a trackway arranged to extendtransversely across the receiving end of said retainer, abutmentsarranged to operate in said. trackway, de

vices for delivering said abutments to said trackway, and means foractuating said devices at a greater rate of speed than that of theabutmcnts through said trackway, as and for the purpose set forth.

26. In a baling-press, a retainer, a trackway arranged adjacent thereceiving end thereof and transversely thereacross, abutmen ts arrangedto be received in said trackway, power-actuated devices for progressingsaid abutments through said track ay, and automatically-detac liabledevices for returning said abutments to said trackway after beingprogressed therethrmigh, as and for the purpose set forth.

27. I11 a baling-press, a retainer, a trackway arranged transverselyacross the receiving end of said retainer, abutments, power mechanismfor driving said abutments through said trackway, devices for returningsaid abutments to said trackway after having been progressed therethrough, and means for driving said. returning devices at a higher ITO rateof speed than said. power mechanism, as and. for the purpose set forth.

28. In a balingpress, a retainer, a trackway extending transverselyacross the receiving end thereof, abutments arranged to be re-- ceivedin said traclnvay, a sprocket-chain arranged to deliver said abutmentsto said trackway, and means for deflecting said sprocketchain away fromsaid trackway whereby said sprocket-chain automatically detaches itselffrom said abutments, as and for the purpose set forth.

29. In a baling-press, a retainer, a trackway formed transversely acrossthe receiving end of said retainer, abutments arranged to be received insaid trackway, sprocket-chains having studs arranged to form supportsfor said abutments to return or restore the same to said trackway, andmeans for deflecting said chains out of the path of said trackway toautomatically detach said studs from supporting or engaging relationwith respect to said abutments, as andfor the purpose set forth.

30. In a baling-press, a retainer, a trackway formed transversely acrossthe receiving end of said retainer, abutments arranged to operate insaid trackway and having seats in the ends thereof, sprocket-chainshaving cooperating studs arranged to be received in the seats or notchesin the ends of said abutments to form supports therefor, said chainsarranged to receive said abutments after the passage thereof throughsaid trackway, and means for deflecting said sprocket-chains away fromthe receiving end of said trackway whereby said studs automaticallydetach themselves from engaging relation with respect to said abutments,as and for the pur pose set forth.

31. In a baling-press, a retainer, a trade way formed transverselyacross the receiving end of said retainer, abutments arranged to bereceived in said trackway, power mechanism for positively driving saidabutments through said trackway, and means for returning said abutmentsto said trackway as they are being progressed therethrough comprisingsprocket-chains, means for automatically detaching said chains from saidabutments at the point of delivery of said abutments to said trackway,and means for driving said chains at a higher rate of speed than thespeed of operation of said power mechanism, as and for the purpose setforth.

32. In a baling-press, and in combination with a retainer, and means forcontinuously compressing material therein, of means for applying balebands or ties to the compressed material during the compressing opieration of the apparatus and without arresting such operation, as andfor the purpose set forth.

In a baling-press, and in combination with a retainer and means forcontinuously compressing the material therein, in combination with meansfor applying bale bands or ties to definite portions of the length ofthe material compressed in said retainer to form commercial packages orbales without arresting the continuous compressing operation of theapparatus, as and for the purpose set forth.

34. In a baling-press, and in combination with a retainer and means forcompressing the material continuously into said retainer and progressingthe same therethrough, of means for applying to definite lengths of thecompressed material permanent bale bands or ties without arresting thecontinuous compressing operation of the apparatus, as and for thepurpose set forth.

35. In a baling-press, a retainer, independent abutments arranged tooperate in a path transverse of the receiving end of the re tainer, incombination with bale ties or hands, and means for applying such balebands or ties to three sides of a definite length of the materialcompressed into said retainer during the continuous operation of theapparatus, as and for the purpose set forth.

36. In a baling-press, a retainer, abutments arranged to operatetransversely across the receiving end of said retainer, clamping devicesarranged to engage one end of a set of bale bands or ties, the other orfree ends of said bale bands or ties arranged to be received betweenadjacent abutments whereby said free ends are carried with saidabutments and applied to the compressed material to form a bale ofdefinite length, as and for the purpose set forth.

37. In a baling-press, a retainer, means for delivering the material andcompressing the same into said retainer, said means operating to applysimultaneously with the delivery of such material into said retainerbale bands or ties to the compressed material with out interrupting thecontinuous compressing operation of the apparatus, as and for thepurpose set forth.

38. In abaling-press, a retainer, and means for supplying the materialto be compressed and compressing the same into said retainer, incombination with retaining devices for applying bale-bands and means forreleasing said retaining devices to permit said balebands to be appliedto the compressed material along with the delivery to said retainer ofmaterial to be compressed and without in terrupting the continuouscompressing operation of the apparatus, as and for the purpose setforth.

39. In a baling-press, a retainer, abutments arranged to operatetransversely across the receiving end of said retainer to supplymaterial to and compress the same in said retainer, and a plate pastwhich said abut- ITO ments operate or progress before reaching the openend of said retainer, as and for the purpose set forth.

40. In a balingpress, a retainer, abutments operating transverselyacross the receiving end of said retainer, means for clamping bale tiesor bands at one end, retaining devices for the opposite or free end ofsaid bands, guides for such free ends, means for releasing saidretaining devices whereby said free ends are permitted to rest upon anabutment whereby such free ends are progressed along with the abutmentupon which it rests transversely across the receiving end of saidretainer to apply said straps or bands to the compressed materialcontained in the retainer, as and for the purpose set forth.

41. Inabaling-press, the combination with a retainer and devices forcontinuously delivering the material to be compressed to and compressingor condensing the same into said retainer, of means operating tosimultaneously apply opposite ends of bale bands or ties along with thedelivery of the material to the retainer and at suitable intervals,whereby the bale-bands are successively applied to definite portions ofthe compressed material, for the purpose set forth.

42. In a baling-press, the combination. with a retainer and devicescontinuously operating transversely across the receiving end of saidretainer, said devices operating to deliver the material to becompressed to and compressing or condensing the same in successiveincrements into said retainer; of means operating to simultaneouslyapply opposite ends of bale bands or ties simultaneously with theoperation of said compressing devices and at suitable intervals apart,whereby the bale-bands are successively applied to definite portions ofthe compressed material, for the purpose set forth.

43. In a baling-press, a retainer compris-' ing parallel side plates,one of said plates being movable toward and from the other, powermechanism applied to said movable plate for moving the same toward theother plate, means for automatically releasing said power mechanism topermit said movable plate to yield or move away fromthe other plate, incombination with means operating in a continuous direction transverselyacross the space between said plates at the receiving ends thereof forcompressing the material into such space, as and for the purpose setforth.

4A. In a baling-press, a retainer comprising parallel side plates, oneof said plates being hinged or pivoted at the front end thereof, powermechanism applied to the other end of said plate for moving the sametoward the other plate, means for automatically releasing said powermechanism to permit said pivoted plate to yieldingly move away from saidother plate, in combination with means operating in a continuousdirection transversely across the space between said plates at thereceiving ends thereof for compressing the material into such space, asand for the purpose set forth.

45. In a baling-press, a retainer comprising parallel side plates, oneof said plates being movable toward or from the other, and meansoperating in a continuous direction transversely across the spacebetween said plates at the receiving ends thereof for compressing thematerial into such space, in combination with power mechanism applied tosaid movable plate for holding the same pressed toward the other plate,and means operated by the pressure of the material between said platesfor automatically releasing said power mechanism to permit said movableplate to yieldingly move away from its cooperating plate, as and for thepurpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 16th day ofSeptember, 1903, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM M. RI-IEEM.

Witnesses:

NATHANIEL L. JonNsoN,v GEO. C. CLEAvnsA

